By the Yu River.
Ying Liu caught another carrier pigeon.
Two days prior, he had intercepted a carrier pigeon flying from Wucheng to Liaojiang, and today, he intercepted one flying from Liaojiang.
The carrier pigeons were all from Hengyuan Merchant Association.
The previous pigeon carried a message from the fat man at Hengyuan Merchant Association to Shen Xing, with only one line: "This person is Feng Luan of Yaowang Valley, with a face like a Bodhisattva and a heart like a Yama. Be cautious!"
Ying Liu took down the strip of paper tied to the pigeon's leg. It read: "This person has considerable backing and wishes to ascend Changming Mountain from Liaojiang. Any slight misstep will bring ruin to Hengyuan Merchant Association. Upon receiving this letter, go to the yamen as soon as possible to inform them and deliver this message to this person's family. Hurry!"
Ying Liu: "..."
Was this truly about one person???
Ying Liu crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the river. He glanced at the carrier pigeon in his hand and decided to give it a dignified end – charcoal-grilled pigeon!
...
Near the Yu River, bordering Liaojiang, there was a city.
Looking at the wooden walls and the simple guard posts, if not for the Yu River separating the two countries, Lin Yuan's iron cavalry would have long ago flattened Liaojiang's city.
However, upon entering the city, Nan Shiying learned from Shen Xing that this was not a city at all. It was merely a marketplace jointly built by the tribes surrounding Liaojiang, with some residents. Most people, however, returned to their villages before nightfall.
As it was cold, the women of Liaojiang wore hats wrapped in cloth-like material. Shen Xing said this was called a "bao jin," serving as both a hat and an adornment.
Nan Shiying saw some people with flowers pinned to them and others with paintings drawn on them. In essence, they were the same in design but varied in detail, and they were beautiful!
"Asse, my friend, you've arrived!"
A man as robust as a brown bear, clad in a fur coat, let out a thunderous laugh. He spread his arms wide from afar and strode towards Shen Xing.
Asse?
Shen Xing also spread his arms and embraced the man with a smile.
Both men patted each other's backs with their right hands about three or four times before stepping back.
"What have you brought this time? Did you bring any of your Lin Yuan's fine wines? We agreed last time, if you have fine wine, you must trade with me first!"
The man glanced at the carts full of goods behind Shen Xing, his nose twitching slightly, as if smelling for any escaped aroma of wine in the air.
Shen Xing replied, "I remember, I remember. Our Hengyuan Merchant Association values its reputation above all else. How could we break our promise?"
As Shen Xing spoke, he walked to one of the carts and pulled off the tarp covering the goods. Beneath the tarp were rows of neatly arranged wine jars.
"Hiss~"
The man quickly walked to the cart, half-crouched, and held onto the sides. His entire head nearly dipped in, as if he wished he could transform into a worm and burrow into the wine jars.
"It's this smell, hmm, good wine, good wine!"
Nan Shiying stood aside and sniffed the aroma of the wine. Was this not Yan Zhi Zui?
"Asse, I'll take all this wine!"
The man pulled out a money bag from his懷 and handed it to Shen Xing. Shen Xing turned slightly, shielding Nan Shiying's view, before opening the money bag. He inspected the lustrous, full-colored gems one by one, then with a smile brimming with joy, placed the money bag into a prepared empty box and locked it, all in one smooth motion.
Situ Kong's martial arts were average, but his eyesight was excellent; he could discern whether a character was inscribed on a coin from two meters away. Standing beside Nan Shiying, he caught a fleeting glint of gems.
Perhaps, a pouch full of gems?
Situ Kong's eyes felt hot, his palms itched, and a surge of desire ignited within him.
Nan Shiying glanced at him, her gaze cool, like the water of a deep pool, pouring down and chilling him to the bone.
After Shen Xing delivered the goods and the newly exchanged gems to the Hengyuan Merchant Association's shop in the marketplace, he said to Nan Shiying, "This is your first time in Liaojiang. May I guide you around?"
"That would be wonderful!"
Shen Xing instructed his subordinates to guard the shop well and then led Nan Shiying and the others to the liveliest part of the marketplace – Akali Corridor!
Speaking of these tongue-twisting names, Nan Shiying asked Shen Xing, "Is 'Asse' your name here?"
Shen Xing nodded, "It's just a name, without a surname."
"'Xing' translated into the Liaojiang language is 'Asse,' meaning prosperous, rich, and thriving."
Saying this, Shen Xing paused slightly, then turned to Nan Shiying, "I apologize, but to this day, I haven't asked for your honorable name."
"May I know your honorable surname and full name?"
Nan Shiying slapped her forehead, feeling quite vexed. "I have never mentioned my name to Manager Shen. It's truly impolite. My name is Lin Yuan, Wei Yuan!"
Xiao Man: "..."
Situ Kong: "..."
Shen Xing murmured the other's name, Wei Yuan, surname Wei? He wondered if the name he heard was the true one!
This person who had deceived elders and cousins from the capital all the way to Wucheng, how many of his words could be trusted?
"Wei Yuan? A good name!"
Shen Xing exclaimed, and Nan Shiying felt he was being rather hypocritical.
"The character 'Yuan' in the Liaojiang language should be called 'A Saisun,' meaning source of water, end, infinity!"
Nan Shiying: "..."
A very good translation, but don't translate next time!